UNITED NATIONS (GOLDENHORN AGENCY)- Nishat Mirza- Voices of Women and Girls are most important when it comes to Climate Action and maintaining international peace and security, says Costa Rican Ambassador to the UN, Maritza Chan.
Ambassador Maritza Chan, the first Costa Rican female ambassador of Costa Rica to the UN, explains different measures Costa Rica is taking to fight for Climate Change. Costa Rica is expanding its protected ocean area from 2.7% to more than 30% as well as the Coco Island National Park 27 times larger.
It’s the biggest lead any country in Central America has taken yet, it gives Costa Rica a lead. It puts the country 9 years ahead of the goal to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030. Costa Rica lives by example, “It is part of the DNA of Costa Rica to lead by Example,” says Ambassador Chan.
When it comes to youth and young women, they are reaching out themselves to help protect the climate, most of them are young indigenous and afro-descendent women. Climate Action must be inclusive, then it will be successful, says Ambassador Chan. Climate Action has to represent every single one of us.
Costa Rican Indigenous Female, Afro-Descendant women, Indigenous women and women with disabilities all have a voice and they always have a seat at the table.
Costa Rica signed the treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban (CTBT) at the United Nations NPT meeting in August 2022.
Costa Rica is a nuclear-free zone and they believe any weapon can trigger violence and weapons alone cannot secure a country. As long as Nuclear Weapons exist, there will never be complete peace. Costa Rica’s security persisted throughout history, solely depending on international laws. In order to increase its strength, Since 1949 Costa Rica abolished its army.
“We’re investing those resources to educate Costa Ricans, 62% of Costa Rican Youths attend university with scholarships. Education is our weapon”. Ambassador Maritza Chan added we must use our resources to educate the youth, empower women, and fight for climate change instead of creating weapons.
